This post is dedicated in ascending order to Blade (IED) Pete_59 and Troop (IED).

While looking on the very excellent (but a bit pricey) Wolf Armouries site lovingly at the Tanaka K98 I came accross the following quote:

"This rifle is a collectors rifle and is not designed for skirmishing. It will run best on 134a Summer Gas due to the more delicate internals. Using Green Gas will exert too much pressure and cause damage and techical difficulties."

So, gentlemen can those dedicated above comment on whether they have had any technical difficulties with their delicate internals and to what extent did excessive pressure cause damage?

My Dearest Mother, Once again i write to you fresh from the heat of battle. I am still at a loss as to why I was sent to the Bryansk forests after our glorious capture of Herr Churchill, and now there are rumours floating around that we did not in a fact capture the gentleman in question , but merely an impostor!. What a travesty I hope someone gets shot for this!

Here, dearest mother we had to reinforce the sadly depleted remnants of our once glorious German Army. I have never seen such a motley crew, there were fallschirmjaegers , luftwaffe officers and enlisted men all mixed up together. Of course our little band of SS tropps were very much noticeable as the elite battle hardened veterans we are.

Our first mission was to escort a supply convoy between some of our mountain bases, this was perfect territory for the bolsheviks to mount ambushes on us a as we traversed these rugged mountain passes. This was probably the toughest terrain I have been on in this long war with craggy hills and rugged mountain forests. Naturally as the SS we took the lead showing the way by escorting the convoy on foot. and it wasnt long before our training showed it s merits. Obviously the bolsheviks have very poor training as our lead man spotted them immediately. We engaged the ambush before it was properly sprung, but were unable to follow up because our convoy leader ordered us back down on the road, where the ruskies gave us a good and proper pasting! Whatever these bolsheviks lack in training they certainly make up for in fighting spirit! This was very frustrating, it seems that the german army is now concerned with safety, not fighting, gone are the glorious days of blitkrieg, aggression and victory! we are now reduced to behaving like little old ladies on a shopping trip, all while we are fighting these Untermenschen!

For the best part of the campaign we ran the gauntlet of these russian ambushes, and our losses were high, I myself got wounded from very close range in the ear but never mind dear mother it has not ruined my dashing good looks and after being treated I was soon back in the fray, linking up with some fellow SS troops who were more suited to my style of fighting. It was only later due to the brave action of one of our number engaging the ruskies singlehandedly on their flank that we were able to run the gauntlet of the russians ambushes, and succesfully deliver some of our precious supplies.

Once again the superior training of the SS was apparent when we were sent on a scouting mission, and were so well camouflaged that the bolsheviks almost set up there base camp on top of us! Imagine their surprise when we came up out of the bushes!. They bolsheviks then mounted an attack on our base but we drove them off after much bitter fighting. They are very brave but very foolish, charging into the mouths of our waiting guns at point blank range. there seem not to be many regular soldiers among them but many civilians holding captured guns.

Yet again our superior SS training came to the for when we were able to sneak right up to the new russian command post and shoot their leader!

Due low ammunition we had to regroup as we heard that the russians were trying to capture our leader and we were in turn to retry to capture theirs, this was going to be a challenge, as our troops morale was low after the pounding we received from the ambushes. We had to conserve our ammunition as well, as we were running low as by all accounts were the ruskies. Leaving the main group my new found SS comrades and i went off to find the russian leader but we re very soon involved in the thick of the fighting, and the russians out flanked us again and captured our leader! this was not so good and Heide and his brother and i were involved in bitter fighting to get him back. You would be proud of me dear mother as i spent the afternoon crawling through the undergrowth shooting Russian after Russian almost alone in the forest, save for the odd insect and small animal. It very much reminded me of my days in the woods with Uncle Gustav, he would have been proud seeing the accuracy with which i was placing my shots! I eventually had to go back to the base camp as i ran out of ammunition. I was rewarded for my efforts in shooting the Russian leader with some Reichsmarks which will be making their way to you and my dear sister soon.

At last, dear mother, evening came, and such was the cameraderie among us it seemed as if the war was long forgotten and we were once again just friend drinking beers and reminiscing around the campfire except we were not allowed to light a fire as it would have given our position away!. Someone had captured some russian vodka and we had a fun night, turning in early to be fresh for whatever the next day brought us!

Morning came all to soon and after preparing for disembarkation we were soon rounded up to go back into the fray. News reached us that there was a Russian rocket launcher in the hills nearby. You may hope that you never see one of these dear mother as it is too terrifying to behold! It fires screaming rockets at our brave soldiers trying to defend the Fatherland from these brutal hordes.

Again led by the SS contingent we found the rocket launcher and with a well co-ordinated attack, captured and destroyed it. These Bolsheviks play dirty there were many hidden explosives and they took their toll on our men. But it was a fine example of the German army at its finest, proud men pushing home an attack aggressively and at speed. The Fuhrer himself would have been proud! This is how battles should be fought! A bitter counterattack followed with both sides taking heavy casualties, I was involve all afternoon in hunting down snipers who were trying to outflank us, there was one particular sniper who had been very effective, and it seemed as if there was some unwritten rule that had locked us in some individual combat, like the knights of old.Of course with the aid of my woodland skill learnt from uncle gustav, and my SS experience I was able to neutralise him right at the end of the battle as we were getting new orders to pull out. so I am now able to write this letter to you my loving mother and sister.

We are now making our way back to more familiar territory, we have heard that the British and Americans have launched an operation in the Loire valley called Operation Haggard, and me and my old kamerad Steiner will be taking charge of the German defenses! this is a great honour as finally I feel that I am able to perform my most sacred duty to the Fatherland to its fullest.

The fighting on the Russian front, dear mother is the most brutal thing i have seen - neither side took any prisoners or gave any quarter, but one must remember that such drastic action is necessary if we are to protect our civilisation from these brutal unintelligent hordes!. I am looking forward to some rest and getting my weapons cleaned and serviced. Until next time dearest Mother, Sieg Heilyour devoted sonFelix

JD7 wrote:We convoyed to the site after a few of us stopped off at a roadside burger van for a quick bite and cup of tea. I think we scared the hell out of the women who was working - most of us wearing German kit apart from our 'captured' Partisan Lardassmonkey .

So we continued on up to the ammo crates, leapfrogging down the road stopping only to investigate a landmine and I moved that to the roadside.

"Hit, Good hit" not sure who it was but I was just glad to end the noise of bb's whizzing past or hitting the tree's where i was.

firing my K98 at the opposition defending the site I shot Steve(Headshot) just below the windpipe - .

I know i drove past you guys at the side of the road there, gave me a laugh as you were moving that mine i was about 10 meters away from you with my gun aimed at you the whole time, i just follow orders i do belive it might have been me you shot there i was shooting at someone for a while then i turned around and got shot in the back with a "THWACK" and i said "Hit, Good Hit" because well lets face it, it was and Headshot didnt like being shot in the neck all that much

Peppered wrote:This post is dedicated in ascending order to Blade (IED) Pete_59 and Troop (IED).

While looking on the very excellent (but a bit pricey) Wolf Armouries site lovingly at the Tanaka K98 I came accross the following quote:

"This rifle is a collectors rifle and is not designed for skirmishing. It will run best on 134a Summer Gas due to the more delicate internals. Using Green Gas will exert too much pressure and cause damage and techical difficulties."

So, gentlemen can those dedicated above comment on whether they have had any technical difficulties with their delicate internals and to what extent did excessive pressure cause damage?

Well I dunno about Pete....but The blades injury was obvious... ....he said, walking back to our LUP, and I quote....."it stung a bit"......not sure if that's a mark of respect or derision coming from him...... ...all i know is when i cleaned it up....had a perfect round indentation in the flesh.......hoooooofin!!!!!

.....as for me....I copped two in the rib, under the right arm......I had many more hits from other weapons....but you know when one of them buggers hit you!!!! ...oh yes.....thankfully only there...had a few pass close by me head....and deffo make a differnt sound, especially after clipping a branch on the way past......

I had three or four K98 bullets whizz past my head on the Saturday night and they sounded just like the sound effects on Saving Private Ryan i.e. bloomin' scary.

Excellent weekend and we thoroughly enjoyed it all. Best event yet.

The convoy "ambushes" were really intense after a bit of a wait, then short and sharp action followed by a bit of mopping up - just like you imagine it would be. (Note to Che - I'm not really that unfit - I wasn't puffed out just hyperventilating due to the excitement!)

The funniest bit was our suicidal attack en-masse (at least it was supposed to be) down the track. The Red Army was given the "honour" of leading the charge and we started out only to find that the footing was so treacherous the best we could do was a gay trot, only to watch Pete59 sailing past at break-neck (literally) speed, and the Germans concentrating all their weight of fire onto him in an attempt to slow him down.

On Sunday our defence of the rocket launcher was a bit shambolic but anyway...

I did try to drum up some support for my lone excursion across the valley to the woodpile but by that time Lardass was out of ammo and Dan just thought I was mad. I therefore decided to either try to hook up with the IED lads or just cause a distraction to help my comrades attacking the vehicles. Luckily for me the IED chaps turned up behind me just in time and we had a fun little long range firefight.

Thanks to Comrade Ranj, who rustled up some more volunteers (Anne and Craig) to do the half mile clamber across the valley to come to our aid and press our flanking attack, but sadly they arrived just as the whistle went. Incidentally, I think we need an intermediate command tier and I vote for Ranj and Rhys for section leaders next time.

Anne's highlight was shooting Chomley von Werner mid-sprint and watching him take a tumble.

Thanks to all the organisers for all the work they put in and some fantastic props.

Barry's Bren sounded awesome below us when we put in an attack on the Kat - brrrr, brrrr, brrrrr. "KNOCK OUT THAT F*****G MACHINE GUN"Love the way Anne politely calls out 'Sorry' when she kills someone! My pistol attack on Mia was nearly foiled by her, luckily I had an element of surprise. Note to self - don't try to come to a dead stop when running and you are hit, gravel hurts.

Barry and IED crew - the Katusha was next to the woodpile you were occupying, you could have picked it up and legged it (and had the best and the worst of the Third Reich hot on your heels!).

When I was captured Saturday night my plaintive calls for help met with repeated pistol butting and savage buggering by my captor Boris the Bastard. Loved it, so carried on shouting . Help came too soon

The convoy "ambushes" were really intense after a bit of a wait, then short and sharp action followed by a bit of mopping up - just like you imagine it would be. (Note to Che - I'm not really that unfit - I wasn't puffed out just hyperventilating due to the excitement!)

to be fair if i had as many k98s pointed at me as you did i would be more than hyperventilating . its the first time ive used it on a hot day .boy wat a difference i almost hit everyone i aimed at . most unsual for me (and for the record i am that unfit )

Barry's Bren sounded awesome below us when we put in an attack on the Kat - brrrr, brrrr, brrrrr. "KNOCK OUT THAT F*****G MACHINE GUN"Love the way Anne politely calls out 'Sorry' when she kills someone! My pistol attack on Mia was nearly foiled by her, luckily I had an element of surprise. Note to self - don't try to come to a dead stop when running and you are hit, gravel hurts.

Barry and IED crew - the Katusha was next to the woodpile you were occupying, you could have picked it up and legged it (and had the best and the worst of the Third Reich hot on your heels!).

When I was captured Saturday night my plaintive calls for help met with repeated pistol butting and savage buggering by my captor Boris the Bastard. Loved it, so carried on shouting . Help came too soon

well if we had known that we would not have been in such a rush to save you. stien erm jenny hates sloppy seconds

I'd like to concur with everyone else on a having a brilliant weekend. As Che said the game was that good that nobody actually cared who won! The scenarios were well thought out and worked brilliantly. The terrain was truely knackering (I lost count of how many times I fell over or went sliddign down the hillside)but that justed added to the game and it really was the ideal setting for the game.I don't really know what else I can add to that other than my personal highlights:I thought the the convoy amushing was fantastic, my favourite would have to be when we took out the returning landy patrol; took them total unawares and wiped them out in about 15 seconds. I'm also proud of getting the furthest in the Russian charge, even as the last the left I still managed to make it a fair way before being hit by about 10 BBs all at once and having to dive int the bank to stop. Chommley then decided to finish me off with another burst just to make sure. It was just a shame Comrade Commisar Digga was also hit so couldn't shoot the cowardly facist simpatisers that refused to join the charge. I loved the single shot game despite the fact that I don't think I hit anyone. I was just gutted when Chomley got away, I wanted my revenge. I got him on Sunday though.All the sniper duels were great , some excellent shooting. I'm not sure I like being on the recieving end of K98 fire though especially in that weather ;those things were really flying !!

Thanks again to the CIA team + Digga for setting up such a great event and to IED for the fantastic site and helping us poor partisans out . Not forgetting a thanks to Pete for the loan of the leather jacket and also being so good humoured about the Clown gags.Great game, great site and great social as ever.

Oh I forgot to add for the benefit of my fellow CiA Feldgendarmerie, I was on duty on Saturday night - thought I was going to have to put Kavster in the lockup (em well leave him with '58 bag under a tarp).

We should have had a fire protection officer on hand, once the circus got going with the fire act

Was armed with Luger, Torch and Traffic wand(built by Che and his toolbox)

JD7 wrote:Oh I forgot to add for the benefit of my fellow CiA Feldgendarmerie, I was on duty on Saturday night - thought I was going to have to put Kavster in the lockup (em well leave him with '58 bag under a tarp).

We should have had a fire protection officer on hand, once the circus got going with the fire act

Was armed with Luger, Torch and Traffic wand(built by Che and his toolbox)

Some cracking after action reports, the best i have read i think on the forum yet. Only adds to my disappointment of not being able to be there. Oh well next time.

From Guy (inadvertently) "helping" me to conquer my fear of towing trailers (long story, involves a Rangie on a trailer, tyres blowing out, then seeing all the lanes on one side of the M25 several times in quick succession) to the ambush on the German motorized recce element (utterly fooked in 10 seconds), to the shits 'n giggles of saturday night, it has been one helluva good 'un from my POV!

The most memorable parts of the weekend for me were the patrol and engagement of the enemy after getting decimated on the vehicle recce (well done guys, that really gave the Commie scum something to think about). Kudos to Kav for two awesome K98 shots - which kind of made up for a certain earlier indiscretion on a supposedly "silent" patrol (tip - dont put Pyro in pockets )

Giving Guy the good news with the '42 (well, you didn't think i was going to lug it half way up the country to then not use it, did you?) was in some weird way rather satisfying. Long-range machine gun duel with Barrie on top of the woodpile was great fun.

Cheers to all the players, IED crew and my fellow CiA organisers for a pretty bonkers weekend. Apologies to my passengers for the weekend. Hope none of you get a case of the chalfont's from being thrown all over the place...

Oh, and a last thought - we *really* ought to increase the engagement ranges for K98's in hot weather

When we were a Kingdom it was run by a KingWhen we were an Empire it was run by an EmpressNow we're a country we're run by a..........